Easter 2019

Start with a couple of Questions...Answers from Scripture!

Question: Job 14:14 (NIV) 14 If a man dies, will he live again? ff …So many implications Present/Future On Facebook/Instaram we just want to publish our “best life now”…but what about later…we don’t want to think about not being here sometime in the “way way way distant future-get an Amen” – fact is, we know we are missing something, we need some answers but we often don’t know where to go to find them-Jesus himself!

Answer: John 11:21-26 (NIV) 21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life - Covenant name: “Yahweh-I am that I am” He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Who am I supposed to believe?

Culture – The Problem is on the “Outside”– Money, War…Men - Race, Gender, Sexuality, Politics, Government…Religion–wanting to control all of that. The Solution is on the “Outside” Fix these things and we will have nirvana on the earth, some kind of harmonious social utopia.

The Solution is on the “Inside” -James 1:21 (NLT2) 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

What culture defines as truth is bound in time and by that culture, What Jesus defines as truth is bound for all time and for all cultures…Matthew 5:18– Heaven/Earth – Dot/Stroke - What was “true” in the Roman Culture lasted 1000 years, but God’s Word has far outlasted Rome – Don’t you think it will outlast the current cultural truth in America today!

Religion – Say, answer is on “Inside”…but other religions don’t specifically deal with sin. The distinguishing factor is the singular answer that comes from the Cross of Christ! If sin is the Problem, Jesus is the only religious leader who ever provided the appropriate answers. On the Cross, Jesus conquered Sin, Heb 4:15 – Death and the Grave- 1 Cor 15:55-57, and Satan – Gen 3:15- Steel toed boots to deal with the Devil.

If you can find another Religious Leader/System that properly address Personal Evil/Global Evil/Satanic Evil – one cohesive person or system you should follow that person. There are NONE – for There is no other name under heaven by which men are Saved!

Science – There has never been a time in all of human history that Science has disproved the validity and veracity of the scripture –Tongue and Check - “Do you believe in the big bang”…yes…God spoke and bang everything came into existence.” Science has never disproved this book- “but you can still choose to deny it, what you cannot escape are the consequences that accompany it’s denial”

You do realize that Science has NEVER in any way shape of form, invalidated the Person of Jesus Christ…and MOST poignantly and MOST specifically Science has never invalidated or disproved in any way the facts regarding the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead. Here is the point: To the person who really wants to know. There have been many many attempts, by people and groups throughout history, who have tired to invalidate and disprove Christ and the resurrection…but NONE “NOT ONE” of them have ever sufficiently provided a conclusion that warrants denying Jesus as The Christ.

On the contrary- If sin is the problem, and what Jesus did on the cross is the solution, then THE resurrection is the exclamation point of all of human history! If Christ wasn’t resurrected we are wasting our time…but if Christ did indeed rise up from the grave the third day then it would be appropriate to worship him as THE King of Kings and Lord of all Lords! And we would have every thoughtful reason to believe that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

Jesus is the singular bridge to God – John 14:6 -I am the way and the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me

The answers to the Questions: If a man dies, will he live again and who am I supposed to Believe?

I believe in Jesus, and because I do, I will live after I die!

Only one thing left to do!

Tell somebody what you want Romans 10:9-13 (NIV) 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." –“Band Cue”

Stand/Pray: Series of statements/I want Jesus – If you want what I am saying ask you to Raise your hand and hold it up - I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, I believe – able to Save me – Sin/Death/Grave/Satan – he is the Way and the Truth and the Life! Sin is the issue, it’s everywhere in the world, I have it, you are the answer – I believe that you were raised from the dead – I want the salvation you died to give me – in this life and the one to come – Believing Christ for the First Time –Come tell someone that you are trusting him